Jason Kidd's Kyrie Irving comparison proves Mavericks struck gold with newest signing

The Dallas Mavericks have just one regular-season game remaining before their NBA Play-In Tournament matchup against the Sacramento Kings next week, and while vibes around the fan base are low right now with Luka Doncic dominating in his return game on Wednesday night, Anthony Davis and company showed promise on Friday night against the Toronto Raptors.

Davis finished with a triple-double, as he had 23 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and seven blocks, showcasing his dominant defense along with his interior offensive presence and underrated playmaking. While Davis was the main star of the show, newly signed Maverick Brandon Williams was excellent as well.

In his first game since having his two-way contract converted to a standard deal, Williams showcased why Nico Harrison decided to make sure he's around into the future. Williams finished with 17 points and three assists while shooting 7-8 from the field and 2-2 from downtown, and he is cementing himself as one of the best guards for Dallas off the bench.

Brandon Williams is showing serious shades of Kyrie Irving

His ball handling, finishing around the rim, and energy have turned him into a household name in Jason Kidd's rotation, and after the game, Kidd showed big praise toward his 25-year-old point guard.

"I think being around Kai here has elevated his game," Kidd said when asked about Williams in his postgame interview. "I think he has studied Kai a little bit and has taken a page out of his book."

The most obvious similarity when comparing Williams to Kyrie Irving is their finishing, and Williams had several Kyrie-esque finishes against the Raptors. Both players are extremely crafty when getting downhill, and their confidence and ability to finish at tough angles help them be able to finish among the trees.

Williams and Irving are both undersized guards as well (Irving is 6-foot-2 and Williams is 6-foot-2), and Williams' ability to contort his body and knife through the defense to finish at the rim through contact is just like Irving's. Williams has heard all of the Irving comparisons, and when asked about his relationship with him after Friday night's game, he couldn't help but smile.

"I call Kai literally about anything," Williams said when asked about Irving. "Anything that I need, anything that I want to learn about, office is right there. Kyrie is one phone call away…I look up to Kyrie."

When asked about the Williams-Irving comparison after the game, Davis also agreed that he sees some similarities.

"Growing up watching Kyrie and kinda being one of his mentors and getting a chance to play alongside him and just learn from him," Davis said when asked about Williams. "You can see it pan off."

As Davis said, the on-court resemblance from the two players is there, and it has come from a relationship that was built on and off the floor. Williams looks up to Irving, and he is someone who has been plugged in with the team, even after he tore his ACL.

"He’s still that leader for us," Williams said about Irving. "No matter what it looks like, even after the game’s over, it’s most likely me FaceTiming him and just showing him the team."

Irving is still invested in the team despite being out for the season and having an uncertain summer ahead since he has a player option, and there isn't a better player Williams could be compared to by Kidd and his teammates than him. Irving is a star on and off the floor, and Williams being able to learn from him and Kidd is the perfect situation for him in his third season in the NBA.

Williams is focussed on playing freely tomorrow in the Mavericks' final game of the regular season against the Memphis Grizzlies, and he and Davis will be looking to shock the world beginning next week and claw their way into the NBA Playoffs.